Best Radiant Floor Heating Reviews

One of the more unique methods of heating your home today is through radiant floor heating. This type of heater installs underneath the floor or within the walls of a home to supply a radiant heat transfer.

The heat hits the floor or the wall then is transferred into the air, so that you receive the comfortable indoor environment you deserve. If you’re interested in this type of solution, then the best radiant floor heating reviews can help you find what you need today.

The Best Chart for Radiant Floor Heating

Ever stuck your hand above a hot element on a stovetop? The heat that you feel is caused by radiant heating. It’s this process which this technology relies upon to make sure that you receive the warmth you need. The chart below offers you the chance to compare and contrast the proven options available in this developing category right now.

What Are the Advantages of Radiant Floor Heating?

Radiant floor heating isn’t for every home. It’s best to install it during the new construction process or during a remodeling effort because it has to go beneath your floor. If you do have this opportunity, then you can be able to benefit from these unique advantages from this solution.

It is extremely energy efficient. Radiant floor heating is even more energy efficient than baseboard heating. It also eliminates the duct losses which occur in the typical forced-air HVAC systems of many homes. This allows you to stay comfortable and save money every month.

It is allergen and asthma friendly. When you’re using a forced-air system, then the air movement can distribute different allergens and asthma triggers throughout the home. The radiant heat from this type of heating system eliminates that issue completely.

It offers options. There are actually three different types of radiant floor heating that are available right now. Electrical systems, hot water (hydronic) systems, and radiant air floors all work in slightly different ways to make sure you can have a heating system that works for your home.

Many radiant flooring systems (and wall systems) are typically designed around the “sandwich” concept. In other words, you would place the heating plates between two layers of plywood as part of the subfloor and then place your preferred flooring above this layer. This is referred to as a “dry installation,” but may not suitable for every home.

“Wet installations” are another option for radiant heating thanks to the use of a large thermal mass. This allows the heat to be distributed through a concrete slab over a wooden subfloor.

What Type of Radiant Floor Heating Is Right for Me?

For most homes, electric radiant floors are typically going to be the best solution. They consist of electrical cables that are built into the floor itself. Some systems also feature mats that are installed on the subfloor so tile can be a flooring option as well. These systems can be costly in cold-weather environments, especially if a thermal mass is not being used to retain the heat.

Hydronic radiant floors offer a cost-effective method of heating, but typically has a higher installation cost than the other methods. This is because the water for the heating system must be pumped through installed tubing in a pattern under the floor that allows for a balanced distribution of the heat. If a boiler system isn’t already in the home, one will typically need to be installed, which adds to the overall cost of this heating option.

The final option, air-heated radiant floors, is usually the least popular solution in this category. They typically produce heat only during the day, and since air only holds a certain amount of heat, the system must work continually to maintain temperature levels. Some homeowners have found that combining this specific type of radiant floor heating with a solar energy source has been beneficial, but this will be generally be your last possible option.

Can I Install Radiant Floor Heating In My Home?

Although the installation of radiant floor heating can be a DIY project, there may be local permitting requirements which may need to be followed before starting. You will need to check with your local building code enforcement office or similar authority in your community to determine what permitting is required.

Some jurisdictions may also require proof of insurance for the installation process and the ongoing change in structure that occurs for your home. Proof of policy may need to be shown during the permitting process in order to have this heating included in your home.

There are certain radiant heating manufacturers that may also require contractor installation in order for the warranty on the product to be valid. This will add to the installation cost and is in addition to any product costs that are listed in this guide or on this website.

What Are the Prices of Radiant Floor Heating?

Radiant floor heating is generally priced per square foot. If you have a large square footage of floor that you want to use with this heating option, then you may wind up paying upwards of $500 just to heat one room. Across all brands of radiant floor heating systems, you can expect to pay about $40-$60 per every 5 square feet of flooring that needs to be heated. Hydronic heating systems may have a 50% price per square foot premium. Adding a programmable thermostat to the flooring can also push the cost upwards.

Pricing starts at $139 in this category and tends to top out around $713. If you were installing 100 square feet of radiant floor heating, however, so you will need to budget at least $1,000 to get the job done. This does not include any permitting costs, contractor estimation costs, or other construction or installation costs that may be included outside of the actual product purchase and installation.

What Do Our Reviews Have to Say?

We loved how easy it was to install this radiant flooring. Built into a heating mat, it’s the adhesive backing that makes the installation so easy. Just have your floor prepared and then lay down this mat in just minutes. A programmable floor sensing thermostat is included with this radiant flooring option, giving you full control over your environment. It only takes 2 amps to operate as well, so you won’t have to worry about overloading your circuit. If you need contractor installation due to local permitting, make sure to include that with your purchase so that you can get the effective heating you need.

Many radiant heating options are designed to work underneath your floor. That’s good stuff, but it can be a hassle if you’re not in the middle of a remodeling project. That’s why we like this under-the-rug radiant heating option. Using just 365 watts, there’s no risk of fire, shock, or overheating according to the manufacturer. Just slip it underneath your rug and plug it into any standard household outlet to receive the radiant warmth that you need.

This radiant heating solution is approved to work underneath several different types of flooring, including stone, marble, and wood floors. It complies with all UL standards and is EMF safe, with active shielding and twin-wire technologies for effective warmth creation. You’ll receive a circuit monitor to verify the continuity of the system or detect damage of the heating wires. It’s a tough system, yet still flexible enough for virtually any installation point, and the self-adhesive mat makes installation a breeze.

This radiant floor heating installation kit gives you everything that you need to make sure your project receives the finishing touches it deserves. You’ll receive the flooring mats with the wiring built-in with 10 feet of 3-wire armored power lead. A LoudMouth installation monitor is included as well. Unlike some other installation processes, however, the mat does not have any adhesive. You’re given two-sided tape to affix this radiant flooring option and that takes a little practice to get it right. A programmable thermostat is also included with this kit.

The manufacturer guarantees that this radiant flooring option will have zero interference with the electronic devices in your home. Covering up to 15 square feet of flooring, four insulation layers are included with this heating option, including a nylon outer layer that is acid, alkaline, and mechanical resistant. This solid state system has little in the way of maintenance requirements, comes with a lifetime warranty, and is just 1/8 thick so it can even work under thin rugs.

The best radiant floor heating reviews will help you locate the best under-the-rug or under-the-floor solution for your home. Make sure to measure out the square footage you’ll need before purchasing, then choose the installation mat option which works best for you, and that will help you make certain you get the best possible product the first time around.